Interview with a Russian Entrepreneur: Ruben Vardanian

Ruben Vardanian is one of the leading figures on Russia’s capital markets, and one of the major shareholders of the investment bank Troika Dialog, one of the top credit institutions in Moscow, and one of the “employers of choice.” The company has played a key role in developing almost all he segments of the country’s stock market. In contrast to many Russian organizations, Vardanian is concerned about creating a “best place to work,” and has gone to great lengths to design a company characterized by transparency, open communication, and team work. He has been the driving force behind the Moscow School of Management (Skolkovo), of which he is the president. Vardanian’s motivation in creating the school is based on his strong belief that it is essential to develop a cadre of entrepreneurs if the Russian mindset is to be changed.